~*****~

I was leaned against a tree, dozing in and out of sleep while we waited for any sort of news. My stomach had been growling for a while now, and I'd gotten used to the uncomfortable pain of hunger. I snorted and palmed at the flat plane of my belly. "Guess all those years on the streets prepared me for this..." I murmur to myself. I sigh again and stretched out, audibly groaning in appreciation. Vegeta began to laugh hysterically again. I turned my gaze on him and grimaced. "And then there's that weirdo..." I murmur delicately.

"Oh, this it too much! One little explosion, and 'boom!', Frieza and Kakarot are both out of my hair! At last, I'm the most powerful fighter in the universe!" Vegeta claimed.

"Learn a new song, will ya?" I call irritably.

"Shut up!" Vegeta snapped as he stood up. "I've waited so long for this day! Those years with Frieza, swallowing my humiliation!" I grumbled irritably. I'd nearly forgotten that he's got his own trauma to deal with. "We followed Frieza's every command, like sick, loyal dogs! We conquered entire civilizations, annihilated millions of people, just to expand Frieza's empire!" Vegeta explained lowly. "Needless to say, it was a job we Saiyan's excelled at. At last, that great day has come! Everyone who would stop me is already dead!"

"You're wrong about that, you know!" Gohan barked. "My father is coming back alive!"

Vegeta just chuckled and plopped back down onto the grass, and stretching out. "You sure do have a wild imagination, kid."

"No, it's the truth!" Gohan retorted. "My dad'll beat Frieza, and come back home and then you'll be sorry!" I stood up and approached the young boy.

"Hey, don't bother with him. He's not worth it. Go on, Goku will be back." I hum sweetly and kissing his head. Gohan grumbled and nodded before trotting back towards the others. "Listen up, Vegeta," I snap as I turn my gaze onto him. "I get it. I do. But you're wrong about Goku. You think he's some low class individual, but you don't know him like any of us do. Goku will come back. Alive and well. So, just be ready, because he's never let us down."

"Whatever," Vegeta snorted with a smirk.

"They're not here!" One Namekian exclaimed as I traveled back over to the group.

"What? Who's not here?" An Elder Namekian asked.

"We've looked everywhere, and we can't seem to find anyone from Guru's village!" The same Namekian exclaimed.

"But, that can't be!" Another gasped.

"Are you talking about those whiny villagers I defeated?" Vegeta asked loudly. I glanced back at him and frowned. "I believe the Dragon Balls brought back everyone who'd been killed by Frieza or his henchmen. Isn't that right? Well, that doesn't include me. How very sad."

"You're disgusting." I hiss.

"You weren't saying that earlier, now were you?" Vegeta retorted smugly.

I glowered at him and turned my nose up. Seven hard thumps hit the ground after a moment. "Ah... The Dragon Balls have followed me to this place!" Guru hummed. "They, too, feel the time is right for me to go."

"Guru! We need you now!" A young Namekian cried.

"Ah... No. You are all so much stronger than you realize!" Guru praised. "It's a tough road ahead, but we are a race of survivors. You will make it. M-Moori." Guru called. The Elder Namekian stepped forward. "Please, give me your hand." Moori gave Guru his hand and he flinched in surprise. "You... Are the eldest now. Please, take good care of our people! Soon, the Dragon Balls will sparkle again. Use them, and use them wisely. Watch over them. Guard them like children."

"Yes. I-- I will try!" Moori stammered.

"You... will do fine..." Guru breathed out. He slumped forward, and the others began gasping in shock. "Goodbye, my children! You made me, so very proud!" Guru faded from sight. Each and every Namekian began to cry for their father. Even I started to cry.

"Listen!" Moori spoke up. "We must be strong and work together... So we can finally realize Guru's dream of peace for all Namekians."

"It looks like they're all gonna be okay..." Bulma mentions. "If only Krillen could have seen this happen."

"Yeah..." I hum with a sniffle. "After all that fighting, he would've really loved to see everyone here at peace again."

"Well, why don't you use our Dragon Balls to wish him back?" Dende suggested. "Namek's Dragon Balls can revive someone many times. Sure, if it's not a natural death!"

"That's--" I stammer as new tears burn at my eyes. "That's amazing! We can wish Krillen back as soon as the Namek's Dragon Balls become active again! And Chiaotzu! Chiaotzu is the same way!" I exclaim. "Oh my god-- You precious child!" I chirp through my tears and pull Dende in a tight hug and wave him around.

~*****~

"Yamcha?" Bulma murmurs in confusion. "I can hear you, though. Did somebody shrink you or something?"

"How come he's only talking to her?" I ask irritably. "We're all here."

"No way..." Bulma breathed out.

"Bulma, is Yamcha talking to you?" Gohan asked. "It must be King Kai! He must have a message!"

"Hey, that's what he said! Man, that's wild!" Bulma exclaimed. "Telepathy, huh? So it's true then. It is Yamcha. Hi-ya Yamcha! What's up? You're kidding! Who won?!" She was silent for a moment. "Goku won?! All right! That's our Goku!" We all began cheering. "Hold on, guys! There's more!" We went silent again. "Goku didn't make it off Namek before it exploded. He's dead. What a bummer." Bulma began to laugh. "Duh! Now listen up, pea brain! I'm the one with the real inside scoop! Not you! What would you say if I told you that with the Dragon Balls from Namek, you can wish people back to life more than just one time! That means we can wish everyone back! Goku, Krillen, and Chiaotzu can all be wished back!" Bulma explained. "You're all coming home! How do you like them apples?! So just chill, you dork! I was always the brains of the outfit when we were together, and you were always the brawn!"

I snort in response. "Ain't that the truth." I murmur plainly. Then Bulma's face twisted. "You okay?"

"King Kai... He said... that Goku can't come back... I-If we wished them back, they would go to Planet Namek, but the Planet Namek's gone." Bulma whimpered as she slumped into my arms.

"He's--" I stammer.

"Dad!? No way! You're gone for good?!"

"I'm sorry, Gohan," Piccolo breathed out.

Vegeta began to laugh again and I wasn't having it. He strode over to us, walking around like he owned the place. "I told you, didn't I?! It looks like my prophecy came to pass after all! I'm number one now, guys! So get used to it! It was nice of your dad, kid. Getting rid of Frieza like that for me! What a guy! He served his purpose!"

"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?!" I shout at him. "GOKU SAVED YOUR LIFE-- TWICE!" I bellow.

"He shouldn't have been so soft, should he?" Vegeta sneered. "Which leads me to the question of what to do with his son." Vegeta leered down at Gohan. "Destroy him now, so he doesn't destroy me someday?!" Gohan gazed at him in horror for a second. "Don't sweat it, Kiddo," Vegeta scoffed. "You're the only Saiyan left besides me. That makes you a very important young man. We're the last survivors of an ancient race. Besides, I need someone like you at my side to polish my boots and call me Lord Vegeta!" Vegeta kept sneering while pushing at Gohan's forehead.

Gohan swiped him away. "My dad'll come back, you watch!"

Vegeta laughed again. "Your dad is history, kid!" Vegeta laughed. Gohan tried attacking him, but Vegeta merely batted him away.

"HEY!" I exclaim and try to stop the fight. Piccolo grasps my arm and pulls me back. "Let go of me!"

"No!" Piccolo snapped.

"Are you challenging me, kid?" Vegeta asked. "I wouldn't recommend it. It's your call. Go ahead!"

"My dad will take care of you!" Gohan growled. "And he will be back!" The two began to fight, but it was clear just who was stronger. With an amazing display, Gohan knocked Vegeta on his ass, causing me to cheer in response.

"All right, kid, that does it!" Vegeta growled. "If you want to challenge the Prince of all Saiyans, you can! But I promise, this fight will be your last!" The two rose into the air. "You're making a big mistake." Vegeta warned the young boy.

Vegeta outclasses Gohan easily. He beat the boy so savagely. "G-Gohan!" I stammer. Bulma is screaming hysterically as the boy hits the ground. I broke away from Piccolo and ran to shield Gohan. Vegeta had his palm held out to us, an energy blast shimmering in his palm. "Back off!" I shout at him.

Vegeta was silent for a moment before scoffing. "Have it your way."

"Please... father... come home..." Gohan whimpered in my arms. "I know you're still up there somewhere. You have to be... I need you, Dad..."

Vegeta scoffed again. "A tough guy like you should be able to face the truth!" Vegeta snapped.

I placed my palm against his face and gazed down at him, a strange feeling welling upside that screamed out to heal him. All my strength had disappeared, and Gohan was suddenly all better. "Mara!" Bulma chirped in worry as I wavered and slumped to the side, panting excessively.

"Wow, I didn't know you could do that, Mara!" Gohan chirped as he sat up and hugged me.

Piccolo knelt down to me and helped me stand. "We-- We have to figure out a way to wish Goku and Krillen back..." I mention tiredly.

"Yeah, we can't give up on them." Gohan agreed.

"I don't know, you two. King Kai was pretty clear on the mater." Bulma explained. "It's no problem to wish Chiaotzu back because he died on Earth. But I'm afraid it's a completely different matter with your dad and Krillen."

"So, the only problem is the place." I huff. "Let's look at this from a different view. Some animals need a good den or a nest to survive, otherwise they'd die out in the elements... Oh, but what does that matter? These damn dragons are all powerful beings! It shouldn't be impossible to bring them back!" I snap.

"Shut up!" Vegeta shouts.

I turn my glare on him. "I'm this close to clawing your eyes out, buddy!" I snap at him.

"Just stop that ridiculous babble!" Vegeta shot back. "If you want Kakarot back, then listen. The Earth has a Check-In Station of the spirit realm. Wish him back there first! Then wish him back to life!"

"I-- I hate you so much--" I stammer as embarrassment washed over me. "Why didn't I think of that?! But... Nonetheless, th-thank you, Vegeta..." I murmur irritably. "Then we need to gather the Dragon Balls."

Gohan approached Vegeta with a polite smile. "Thank you very much!"

"Don't get carried away!" Vegeta shouted. "You bunch of softies!" He turned his irritated gaze onto me again and stared me down as if I'd insulted him.

"Ms. Mara, we have a request we'd like to make." Moori hummed. I gazed at him with a smile. "We plan to use our Dragon Balls to relocate to another planet. But finding a suitable home is going to take time. Do you know of a place we can stay temporarily until we can make arrangements?"

I hum thoughtfully. "Well, Lush Corp is just an office building for the meantime, but.... Hey, Bulma! Why don't you take them in? Capsule Corp is a big building!" I suggest.

"That's a great idea!" Bulma exclaimed.

"No, we mustn't impose," Moori claimed.

"Listen, Moori, you need cash to stay in a hotel, and to be honest, my apartment is barely big enough for two people. Besides, it's way too big for Bulma and her parents! It's not like you have another option, anyway. Green men from outer space aren't a common sight around here."

"Oh, gosh! I see your point." Moori nodded. "We... accept."

I sighed and turned to Vegeta. "You coming, homeboy?" I ask loudly.

"What? Home-- What?" Vegeta stammered in confusion.

I rolled my eyes and turned to Bulma. "Get on the phone to call your dad. I'll be back." I mention as I approach Vegeta. I grasp his arm and tug him behind a tree.

"Hey-- Don't just--" Vegeta grumbled irritably.

I jut my finger against his chest. "Listen up, and listen good." I order immediately. "You've already given yourself away. You're not as bad as you make yourself out to be. So stop being such a grouch! You're on Earth! You should see what life has to offer you now that you've got the choice! Go see the sights, explore the planet-- find a date! You're actually cute when you're not being a jerk."

"C-Cute!" Vegeta snapped at me. "I'm not-- Who do you think you--"

"You may be the Prince of all Saiyans, but here on Earth, I don't let anyone push me around, got it? So I'll talk to you how I please, understood?" Vegeta opens his mouth to retort, and I just narrow my eyes into a harsh glare. "Make sure you chose your words carefully. You have your trauma. I have mine. The difference is, I won't roll over for you."

Vegeta's lips turned up into a smirk. "You didn't seem to mind rolling over on Namek, now did you?" He sneered, his eyes glancing up and down my body. My face starts burning, but I don't stop glaring. "If I recall, you were absolutely drenched."

"Hey, my dad's here!" Bulma shouted loudly. I move around the tree without saying another word to the arrogant prince.

~*****~

"Before you get going, Mara, I have a surprise for you!" Mr. Brief exclaimed as we finally arrived at Capsule Corp. I hum curiously. "Based off the schematics of Goku's ship, I crafted you an identical spaceship for your travels! I've even included a gravity room for your research!" Mr. Brief explained as he led me around to the back of the building. It's the same build all right. Just a little smaller.

"This is exactly what I've been needing, Mr. Brief, thank you so much!" I exclaim as we venture inside.

Mr. Brief smiled brightly. "I even put in a cappuccino machine! Well, I hope to see you soon, my dear!" He exits the ship as I travel around it, gazing at the interior happily. I peer at the console in the middle of the room with a hum.

My fingers are tapping away at it eagerly as I gaze at the schematics from the panel. "This is like the one Kakarot went to Namek on, isn't it?" I nearly shriek when I hear his voice.

"YOU-- YOU CAN'T JUST SNEAK UP ON PEOPLE!" I shout at him. I blow out a breath and lean against the console. "Christ-- my heart..." I whimper. "Y-Yes, it is. Now get out. I don't want anything thinking I actually like being around you."

Vegeta scoffed and headed out of the ship.